Grocerant

Anthony LoPinto

Not more than seven or eight years ago most shopping malls were adverse to installing grocery stores into their line-up of tenants. We have come a long way since then. In the wake of Amazon’s acquisition of Whole Foods and to address changing consumer trends, grocery stores are now becoming commonplace in the neighborhood shopping center and regional malls. Along with the evolution of fresh produce next to Bloomingdales, it was inevitable that the grocery store would morph into the grocerant, a grocery store that sells fully prepared meals served onsite or ready to take home for the family meal. Last year consumer spending on restaurants surpassed grocery sales, setting the stage for the emergence of the grocerant. Further evidence of the trend is that grocery store companies have joined the ranks of the 40,000 member restaurant association. One can imagine that over the next decade the grocery store as we know it will become a historical curiosity having morphed into the neighborhood place to be, taking the queue from Eataly which has truly become a destination. Watch out Campbells soup.